WASHINGTON — It seems like yesterday I was driving the redesigned 2014 Mazda CX-5, so imagine my surprise when a 2016 model showed up in my driveway. You usually don’t see a refreshed model so quickly these days. What’s new for 2016? Did the rework improve on a crossover that seemed good to begin with?
“Fun to drive” and “small crossover” usually don’t go together, but the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring really is a thorough driving machine. For a tall crossover, it’s some fun in the turns. Even the large 19-inch wheels don’t punish you on city streets in varying states of disrepair.
Even on the highway, the 2016 CX-5 is quieter than before and it’s now easier to live with on longer trips. If you choose the $30,000 Grand Touring model, you get the larger 2.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine with 184 hp, which is plenty of power. But I’m not sure the small 2.0-liter base engine on some models would be enough for some people. In 300 miles, I managed 26 mpg in mixed driving.
The interior is where you really notice the improvements for 2016, with upgraded materials on the dash and in the rest of the cabin. The leather seats are comfortable, and the rear seats can fit two adults comfortably. The rear seats fold nearly flat, so there is plenty of cargo space. Softer-touch materials are the norm now, and the trim pieces are simple and more upscale-looking. Even the larger 7-inch screen for 2016 is in a soft-touch material housing — not the usual hard plastic area. The one thing that might take a little getting used to is the placement of the volume and controls — they are on the center console between the seats. The sound system doesn’t have the best quality when it’s cranked up.
The looks are mostly the same, with a small nip and tuck at the front and rear and the addition of the LED lighting. My tester stickered at $34,000, which seems like the norm these days, and you get some cool tech options for your money. The lane departure warning and Smart City Brake Support will stop the car in slow-speed situations with bikers and pedestrians. The radar cruise control lets you set a speed and the car will follow down to about 10 mph or so, a nice feature to have in a small crossover. The adaptive front lights will move a headlight when you turn the wheel.
If you’re looking for a small crossover and think that you have to give up the fun feel of a smaller car, this Mazda crossover may make it possible to enjoy the ride and do it with the family in tow. With the extra space and an updated interior, you could find yourself taking the longer, fun way home.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
